Re: OSD Car Ferries (carl_in_cali)

Not much experience in Norway, but bought 2 cars through OSD, and took a ferry twice - from Gothenburg to Kiel and on roundtrip Stockholm - Helsinki - Stockholm.

Really nothing different from sailing on a decent size ship. The car loading/unloading procedure is very well organized, and in essense very similar to the Hollywood Bowl style parking. After the car is "stoved" into the ship's bowels, the rest of the trip is not different from the overnight Mexican Rivera cruise (minus free drinks).

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I would be glad to answer.

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (carl_in_cali)

Carl......

For starters..look here http://www.eurodrive.co.uk/

You can comparison shop and book right from this sight.

I have had a few folks do the ferry to Bergen vs drive. Depending on when you go..??? the ferry may be a better option. You will save the miles on your new XC90 and perhaps avoid the inclement fall weather and not have the driving fatigue....BUT you will miss the beautiful Norwegian landscape and Kjosfossen Falls. If you are doing a late sept/07 trip.....DRIVE!!!! you won't regret it. Turn the car in at Drammen on the way back and fly home from Oslo.
Just a suggestion.......it's your trip and your car! SO....do it your way! The ferry is a nice way to travel...relaxing and Bergen and teh fjords are certainly well worth the trip! http://********************/smile/emthup.gif ENJOY!!!!

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (universityvolvoOSD)

The general idea was to find a ferry to Bergen and drive back to either Oslo or to Goteborg (or vice versa). I certainly will find some time on the open road with the new XC90.

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (carl_in_cali)

Ahhhhh.....the best of both! http://********************/smile/emthup.gif Good idea!
Since you are doing it that way...I would suggest turning in at fdc in G'borg. It will speed up the return trip home for the car.Plus you should be able to use one of your 3 "free rides" to get from fdc to either the hotel or airport after you turn the car in.
Sounds like a nice trip tp break in your new XC90! http://********************/smile/emthup.gif Enjoy and be sure to tell us all about it !

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (carl_in_cali)

Quote, originally posted by carl_in_cali »

The general idea was to find a ferry to Bergen and drive back to either Oslo or to Goteborg (or vice versa). I certainly will find some time on the open road with the new XC90.

OK,
Here is a web site that I use to book a ferry. It has all major ferry routes.

http://www.aferry.co.uk/

I think, you are out of luck with this specific idea. There is no ferries between the Sweden west shore and Norwegian West shore.

As crazy as it sounds, the only way to get from Gothenburg to Bergen by the sea is through Newcastle in England.

I am planning my next OSD (grand tour around Scandinavia), so I have looked.

Here is my itenerary, if you are interested.

1 Saturday from LA to Gothenburg
2 Sunday stay at Gothenburg
3 Monday from Gothenburg to Stockholm stay at Stockholm
4 Tuesday stay at Stockholm
5 Wednesday stay at Stockholm
6 Thursday from Stockholm to Helsinki stay at Ferry
7 Friday stay at Helsinki
8 Saturday stay at Helsinki
9 Sunday from Helsinki to Savonlinna stay at Savonlinna
10 Monday from Savonlinna to Stockholm stay at Ferry
11 Tuesday from Stockholm to Karlstad stay at Karlstad
12 Wednesday from Karlstad to Oslo stay at Oslo
13 Thursday from Oslo to Lillehammer stay at Lillehammer
14 Friday from Lillehammer to Åndalsnes stay at Åndalsnes
15 Saturday from Åndalsnes to Geiranger stay at Geiranger
16 Sunday from Geiranger to Skjolden stay at Skjolden
17 Monday from Skjolden to Flam stay at Flam
18 Tuesday stay at Flam
19 Wednesday from Flam to Oslo stay at Ferry
20 Thursday from Frederikshavn to Copenhagen stay at Copenhagen
21 Friday stay at Copenhagen
22 Saturday from Copenhagen to Gothenburg stay at Gothenburg
23 Sunday from Gothenburg to LA

BTW,
If anyone is aware of any other seaways between Bergen and Gothenburg, please let me know. I'll use it.

Modified by Volvo6850 at 8:47 AM 7-7-2006

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (universityvolvoOSD)

? Bob what do you mean by one of your "three free rides" in gothenberg?

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (cwilsong)

Volvo will give you 3 free taxi rides to accomadate your ground transportation from the airpot-fdc-hotel. You can use them as you wish.

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (universityvolvoOSD)

Bob,
I would not say it is "three free rides". Volvo accomodates your need for the ground transportation in Gothenburg.
Usually it will be three rides - from airport to hotel, from hotel to FDC, and on a drop-off - from the factory to hotel or airport.

Often, it is just one ride - from airport to FCD, if you fly in on weekday morning, or two (+ hotel/FDC) - if you fly-in on a weekend, and drop-off your car elsewhere.

Or it could be 4, like when we were getting our XC90 in 2004, one of my daughters had a medical emergency, so we took a quick delivery, I drove my wife and her to the hospital, came back for lunch with my second daughter, but Volvo picked a second half of my family from the hospital, and brought them to the FDC in time for the factory tour.

I am so impressed with the OSD, I've done it twice, and an opportunity to travel in Europe plays a major role in my desire of buying Volvos for years to come.

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (Volvo6850)

Day 20: Thursday from Frederikshavn to Copenhagen stay at Copenhagen

That sounds like a long day in the car. We did Frederikshavn to Billund (Legoland) in 3/4 day at a leisurely pace. That included taking the ferry from Goteborg to Frederikshavn. It wasn't bad, but Copenhagen is still a little bit further.

Our S60R was only 1 day old then- I remember being worried about it as if it were my own child. Still do.

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (carl_in_cali)

The only thing I have to add is that when we went in July last year, the ferrys were booked well in advance. We did a ferry to Germany and had to pick a very earily time to get there (the ferry left at 7AM from Trelleborg and we had to get up at 2 AM to make it on time from Gothenburg because we were told we should be at the dock an hour early). So my advise, book as early as possible.

Tom

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (not2blu)

We just have different driving habits.
That is just about 250 miles stretch by European highways and toll roads.

Not a problem whatsoever.
I have done quite a few 500-700 miles daily trips in my life.

When on vacation, I am trying to paln my daily legs bellow 4 hours of driving, and I think that Frederikshavn to Copenhagen should be bellow 4 hours. At least it is what both Microsoft AutoRoute and Michelin Maps tell me.

 

Re: OSD Car Ferries (bigtomhammer)

Quote, originally posted by bigtomhammer »

The only thing I have to add is that when we went in July last year, the ferrys were booked well in advance. We did a ferry to Germany and had to pick a very earily time to get there (the ferry left at 7AM from Trelleborg and we had to get up at 2 AM to make it on time from Gothenburg because we were told we should be at the dock an hour early). So my advise, book as early as possible. Tom

Yes, this is true. I always book all my accomodations, ferry rides, train tickets well in advance, as soon as my flights are confirmed by the corporate travel agency.